Bangor Police Station was illuminated in blue on Saturday night ahead of National Police Memorial Day on Sunday 26 September.
The National Police Memorial Day was founded by Joe Holness, following the brutal killing of fellow Kent Police officer Jon Odell, at Margate, in December 2000.
An official annual national day, the NPMD provides a dignified and sensitive service of remembrance to honour the courage and ultimate sacrifice of Police officers throughout the United Kingdom.
Since an act of parliament, in 1792, which created the first salaried Constables, almost 4,000 Police officers have been killed on duty, often in brutal circumstances. For those brave souls to be remembered, on at least one day a year, is long overdue.
The NPMD is supported by Royalty, Government and UK Police services. The magnitude of the day indicated by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales becoming Patron in 2006.
The service, which rotates around each of the four countries, is held on the nearest Sunday to 29th September. This coincides with Saint Michael’s day – The patron Saint of Police officers.
The inaugural NPMD service was held at Saint Pauls Cathedral on Sunday 3rd October 2004. Subsequent services have been held each year, in Cardiff (2005) Belfast (2006) Edinburgh (2007) and Liverpool (2008)
This years’ service will be held at Lincoln Cathedral. Police officials and bereaved families from all over the country will gather at the cathedral at 2pm on Sunday. The annual event was postponed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the congregation expected to be limited to 300, making it an invitation only event, and a guard of honour will welcome guests to the venue.
North Wales officers will also remember their own colleagues, including PC Andy Parker, who died 16 years ago this week on his way home from work.
The service will be filmed and available to view later that afternoon via the National Police Memorial Day website, and at 4pm on Sunday there will also be a 20-minute commemoration streamed online.
